Tax returns reveal stealthy and wealthy Koch brothers donor network

David Koch, executive vice president of Koch Industries, attends a meeting of the Economic Club of New York on April 11, 2011. ; Credit: Mark Lennihan/AP

Conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch have built an unprecedented massive political network that shields the identities of donors, according to a report conducted by The Washington Post with help from the Center for Responsive Politics.

The Post’s analysis of new tax returns and other documents found that the Koch brothers’ coalition raised more than $407 million for the 2012 campaign—using a network of tax-exempt groups and limited liability companies.

With monikers like SLAH LLC and ORRA LLC, the groups have raised major funds to advance limited-government policies—outpacing other independent groups on the right and at least matching the contributions of labor unions on the left.

Late last year, the IRS launched an effort to rein in the use of tax-exempt groups in political campaigning.

What rights should the Kochs and others have to infuse money into politics without disclosure? Should the Kochs be more accountable for how they’re using their money and power? If two men can hold this much power, what does that say about the U.S. political system?